Bed easel construction



June 9, 19 42. E. FOX 2,285,576

BED EASEL CONSTRUCTION Filed June 28, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR ELL-Awe? Fax.

ATTORNEYS June 9,1942. E. FOX 2,285,576

BED EASEL CONSTRUCTION Filed June 28, 1941 2 SheetsSheet 2 35 m m" m W VI/ I l 4 INVENTOR 25% 4k vLila-Amok Fax.

/ ATTORNEYS Patented June 9, 1942 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE BED EASEL CONSTRUCTION Eleanor Fox, Stamford, Conn. Application June 28, 1941, Serial No. 400,182

12 Claims.

This invention relates to a combination work table and bed easel particularly adapted for use by persons confined to bed.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide a combination work table and bed easel which is simple, thoroughly practical, and durable in use. Another object is to provide a construction of the above character which may be manufactured from inexpensive materials without undue labor costs. Another object is to provide a construction of the above character which will be sturdy and well able to withstand hard usage. Still another object is to provide a construction of the above character which will be neat and attractive in appearance. A further object is to provide a construction of the above character which is easily and quickly converted by the user into a variety of different forms. A still further object is to provide a construction of the above character which has ample storage space for materials to be used with the table. Other objects will be in part obvious and in part pointed out hereinafter.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combination of elements, and arrangements of parts as will be exemplified in the structure to be hereinafter described and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the following claims.

In the accompanying drawings in which is shown one of the various possible embodiments of my invention,

Figure 1 is a perspective view of my construc tion showing the lid of the table in use as an easel;

Figure 2 is a to the lid removed;

Figure 3 is a vertical section taken on the line 33 of Figure 2 but with the lid of the table in use as an easel;

Figure 4 is a vertical section taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 2 but with the lid of the table in a closed position; and,

Figure 5 is a top plan view, on an enlarged scale and partly in section, showing the connection of a corner of the lid to the table when the lid is being used as an easel.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawmgs.

As conducive to a clearer understanding of certain features of this invention, it might be here pointed out that the construction of work tables for persons confined to bed has presented many difiiculties. One of these diiiiculties lies plan view of the table with change from one type of in the fact that tables now in use are not readily convertible into a variety of different forms. When a person is confined to bed, his surroundings must necessarily remain substantially the same from day to day, and accordingly, any article which serves to break this monotony is highly beneficial to the persons well-being. A work table is an article which is capable of performing this function, but the work tables now in use are so limited in the type of work that may be performed on them that they soon become as uninteresting to the patient as all of the pieces of furniture in the room. Another difficulty that has been found to exist in work tables of this type lies in th fact that they are not usually provided with storage space, and if storage space is provided, it is not properly positioned on the board so that it is always readily accessible to the patient. This type of storage space is very important as it permits a person to work to another without requiring the assistance of any other persons. this invention is to provide a construction of the above character in which the above-mentioned difiiculties, as well as many others, are successfully overcome.

Referring now to Figures 1 and 3, the combination work table and bed easel, which is preferably made of wood or similar material, includes a body, generally indicated at IE), having legs, generally indicated at l I, l2, l3, and I4, extending downwardly from its four corners. The front legs II and I3 are of an enlarged hollow construction and serve as receptacles for articles to be used in connection with the work table. A lid, generally indicated at I5, has the triple function of forming a lid for the table, forming a: work surface, and also, when connected to the board in an upright position as best shown in Figure 3, it forms an efiicient and practical easel. Means are provided so that the user can easily and quickly connect the lid to the table in either of the above positions, all as will be described more fully hereinafter.

The body I'll of the table preferably comprises a fiat board I6 of rectangular shape having a pair of openings I1 and I8 of substantially square shape (Figure 4) cut in its front corners. II and [3 which have the same shape in cross section as openings I! and I8 are of substantially similar construction, and each includes four side walls 20 and a bottom wall 2| (Figures 3 The upper ends of these legs are open,

,. and two of the upper edges of each of the legs board It in any suitable manner, such as by glue. Side rails and end rails, generally indicated at 22 and 23 (Figures 1 and 2), respectively, are connected to the sides and ends of board l6 and preferably extend above the top surface of the board a substantial distance. End rails 23 have flanges 24 (Figures 1 and 4) formed thereon which extend upwardly from the outer edges of the rails and coact with lid |5 in a manner to be described more fully hereinafter to hold the lid upon the work table. The rear le s I and H! of the table are preferably far smaller than hollow legs H and I3 and are connected to the board adjacent rails 23 in any suitable manner.

As best shown in Figure 2, a series of ribs 25, 26, and 21 are connected to the board and extend above the board the same distance as end and side rails 22 and 23. Rib preferably extends across board l3 between end rails 23 adjacent the rear edges of legs H and I3, and ribs 26 and 21 extend between rib 25 and rail 22 adjacent the inside edges of legs H and I3. Thus, rib 25 divides the board into two sections and separates the rear portion or working surface of the table from the hollow legs and the tray formed by ribs 26 and 21, side rail 22, and rib 25.

Lid l5 preferably comprises a flat board 30 (Figures 1, 3, and 4) which has rails 3|, 32, and 33 extending along both of its ends and one of its sides. These rails are of substantially the same thickness as the flanges 24 formed on the table side rails 23. The length of the lid is slightly less than the distance between flanges 24, and its width is equal to the width of the table. Thus, the lid is adapted'to fit in between the flanges 24 so that its end rails 3| and 32 and side rail 33 rest upon the table side and end rails 22 and 23. To hold the lid in this position, a pair of manually removable pins 34 and 35 (Figure 4) is provided which extend through holes in end rail flanges 24 and into holes formed in lid end rails 3| and 32. Thus, referring to Figure 1, when the lid is in a closed position, pin 35 extends through hole 35 in end rail flange 24 and into hole 31 in end rail32. To prevent the loss of pins 34 and 35 when they are not holding the lid on the work table, they are preferably connected to the table by means of chains 38 and screws 39. g

In order to mount the lid upon the table as an easel, a pair of notches 40 and 4| (Figure 2) are preferably formed in end rails 23 adjacent the rear edge of rib 25. These notches extend down to the upper surface of board I6 (Figure 3) and are of sufficient width to receive the lid side rail 33. To hold this rail in position in these notches, a pair of holes 42 and 43 are cut through end rails 23, and a pair of holes 44 and 45 (Figures 3 and 5), are cut in the ends of lid side rail 33 in alignment with them. These holes are preferably of the same diameter as the holes in flanges 24 and in lid side rails 3| and 32 and thus are adapted to receive pins 34 and 35 which securely anchor the lid side rail 33, and thus the lower portion of the lid, to the work table.

To support the upper portion of lid l5 when it is being used as an easel, a pair of braces 46 and 41 are provided (Figures 2 and 3). Each of these braces is pivotally connected to end rails 23 adjacent the point of connection of the side rails to end rail 22 in any su tab e manner, such as by screws 48 and 43. These screws extend into the rails parallel to the surface of board l6 and are so positioned in the end rails that when the braces are folded upon the board, the top surfaces of the braces are below the top surfaces of end rails 23. The free ends of the braces are preferably tapered and when in a raised position fit into holes 50 and 5| (Figure 1) formed in board 30 adjacent side rails 3| and 32. Thus, braces 46 and 41, acting in conjunction with pins 34 and 35, form an efficient support for the lid when the lid is being used as an easel. Furthermore, when they are not in use, they fold down onto the work table where they do not interfere either with the use of the rear surface of the work table or with the closing of lid l5.

When the table is put to its primary use as an easel, the user has two compartments-name- 'ly, hollow legs H and I3 which are preferably of water-proof construction and within which he may keep materials. Furthermore, the tray between the legs provides a practical place to keep brushes, crayons, and similar materials. When water colors are used with the bed easel, a container of water may be kept in either of the hollow legs, and any water that may be splashed out of the container is caught in the leg. One feature that contributes a great deal to the practicability of the construction lies in the large bearing surface legs H and I3 have upon the bed when the table is in use. This feature effectively prevents the table from tipping under the weight of the materials in legs H and I3 and the weight of the arms of the person using the easel. Furthermore, these legs are positioned adjacent the hips of the user, a part of the body which does not move a great deal, and thus, the reduced space under the board along this edge does not affect the comfort of the patient. However, at the opposite edge of the board, the table legs are far smaller than the hollow-legs and are connected to the corners of the board so that the legs of the user, which move a great deal, are permitted a maximum of freedom.

When a person desires to change from painting to work such as sculpturing, the lid is readily changed from its upright position by removing pins 34 and 35. The table is then reversed, and the patient may work upon the rear portion of board It, in which position he also has ready access to the storage space in legs II and l3 and to the tray in the front portion of the table. If a larger fiat working surface is desired, lid l5 may be connected to the top of the table by the pins, as described hereinabove, and the whole top of the table is then available for drawing, playing cards, or other similar occupations. When the lid is closed, it effectively covers the table, holding articles within hollow legs II and I3 and the table tray. Furthermore, the space between lid l5 and the working surface of table l0 may be used to store paper, coardboard, or any other flat material used in connection with the table,

It will thus be'seen that I have provided a thoroughly efficient and practical combination bed easel and work table in which, the several objects hereinabove set forth, in addition totne many others, have been successfully accomplished.

As many possible embodiments may be made of the above invention, and as many changes might be made in the embodiment above set forth, it is to be understood that all matters hereinbefore set forth, or shown in the accompanying drawings, is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

1. In a combination bed easel and invalids work table, in combination, a substantially fiat body, a pair of hollow legs spaced from each other extending downwardly from said body adjacent one side thereof, said legs having openings therein through which the interiors of said legs are accessible, and a pair of legs very much smaller in cross section than said hollow legs extending downwardly from said body adjacent the opposite side thereof.

2. In a combination bed easel and invalids work table, in combination, a substantially fiat body of rectangular shape, a pair of hollow legs spaced from each other extending downwardly from the body adjacent the front edge thereof, said legs being open at the top whereby they serve as storage space for articles to be used in connection with said table, and a pair of legs very much smaller in cross section than said hollow legs extending downwardly adjacent the other edge of said body.

3. In a combination bed easel and invalids work table, in combination, a substantially flat body of rectangular shape having a pair of openings formed in the front corners thereof, a pair of hollow legs having their upper edges connected to the body within said openings, said legs being open at the top whereby they serve as storage space for articles to be used in connection with said table, a pair of legs Very much smaller in cross section than said hollow legs extending,

downwardly from the other corners of said body, and rib means separating the rear part of said body from the open ends of said legs.

4. In a combination bed easel and invalids work table, in combination, a substantially flat body of rectangular shape having a pair of openings formed in the front corners thereof, a pair of hollow legs having their upper edges connected to the body within said openings, said legs being open at the top whereby they serve as storage spaces for articles to be used in connection with said table, a pair of legs very much smaller in cross section than said hollow legs extending downwardly from the other corners of said body, primary rib means separating the rear part of said body from the open ends of said legs, and secondary rib means separating the surface of the body between said hollow legs from the open ends of said legs whereby this portion of the body forms a tray.

5. In a combination bed easel and invalids work table, in combination, a substantially flat body of rectangular shape having a pair of substantially square openings formed in the front corners thereof, a pair of hollow legs each having four side walls and a bottom and of substantially the same size in cross section as said openings, means securing said legs to the body in said openings with the open ends thereof facing upwardly, and a pair of legs very much smaller in cross section than said hollow legs extending downwardly from the rear corners of said body.

6. In a combination bed easel and invalids work table, in combination, a substantially fiat body of rectangular shape having a pair of substantially square openings formed in the front corners thereof, a pair of hollcw'legs each having four side walls and a bottom and of substantially the same size in cross section as said openings, means securing said legs to the body in said 3- openings with the open ends thereof facing up-' wardly, a pair of legs very much smaller in cross section than said hollow legs extending downwardly from the rear corners of said body, and rib means extending across said board adjacent the rear edges of said hollow legs, said rib means separating said board into two sections.

7. In a combination bed easel and invalids work table, in combination, a substantially flat body of rectangular shape, a pair of hollow legs connected to said body spaced from each other extending downwardly adjacent the front side of said body, said hollow legs and said body having openings therein whereby the interiors of said legs are accessible to the user of the table for use as storage spaces, a pair of legs connected to said body very much smaller in cross section than said hollow legs extending downwardly adjacent the rear side of said body, said last-mentioned pair of legs being positioned substantially farther apart than said first-mentioned pair of 'legs, a lid covering the tops of said hollow legs and said work table, and means for holding said lid in a closed position.

8. In a combination bed easel and invalids work table, in combination, a substantially flat body of rectangular shape, a pair of hollow legs connected to said board adjacent one side thereof, said legs being open at their upper ends 7 whereby they serve as storage spaces for articles to be used in connection with said table, a pair of legs connected to the body adjacent the opposite side thereof and extending downwardly therefrom, rib means forming with the fiat body a tray between said legs, a lid, means for holding said lid spaced from said body when the lid is in a closed position whereby storage space is provided between said lid andsaid body, and means for holding said lid in a closed position, said lid closing the open sides of said legs and said tray.

9. In a combination bed easel and invalids work table, in combination, a substantially flat body of rectangular shape, a pair of hollow legs connected to said body adjacent one side thereof, said legs being open at their upper ends whereby they serve as storage spaces for articles to be used in connection with said table, a pair of legs connected to said body adjacent the other side thereof and extending downwardly therefrom, a lid, and means for mounting said lid on said table in an upright position with one of its edges positioned adjacent the rear edges r of the open ends of said hollow legs.

10. In a combination bed easel and invalids work table, in combination, a substantially fiat body of rectangular shape, a pair of hollow legs connected to the front corners of said body, said legs being open at their upper ends, a pair of small legs extending downwardly from the rear corners of said body, and rib means forming with the fiat body a tray between said hollow legs and separating the open ends of said hollow legs from the rear portion of said table.

11. In a combination bed easel and invalids work table, in combination, a substantially fiat body, a pair of receptacles formed on said body extending downwardly therefrom adjacent the front edge thereof, a pair of legs extending downwardly from the rear edge of said body, a lid, said lid being normally in a horizontal position on said body and being adapted to be connected to said body adjacent the rear edges of said receptacles, and brace means adapted to extend upwardly from said body to hold said lid in an upright position.

12. In a combination bed easel and invalids work table, in combination, a substantially flat body, a pair of substantially square openings formed in the front corners of said body, a pair of hollow legs, each of said legs comprising four side walls and a bottom, said legs being of substantially the same size in cross section as said openings in said body portion, means connecting the top edges of said legs to said body in said openings, a pair of small legs extending downwardly from the rear corners of said body, rib

means dividing the top of said table into front and rear sections and separating the portion of said table between the open ends of said legs from the open ends of said legs to form a tray, a lid, pin means for holding the lid in a closed position on said table, said pin means also being adapted to connect one edge of said lid to said tray adjacent'the rear edges of the open ends of said hollow legs, and braces for supporting the upper portion of said lid to hold it in an upright position.

ELEANOR FOX. 

